Note: This review was first published on September 11th 2011, and the film was screened during the Toronto International Film Festival. Spurlock’s film is now available on demand, so we’re republishing the review. I’ve since seen the movie a second time and gladly recommend it to any pop culture geek I know.

When I first heard that Morgan Spurlock would be directing a documentary about San Diego Comic-Con International, I was worried that it would be a puff piece — a glorified direct to video infomercial. The fact that Spurlock chose to premiere the movie at the Toronto International Film Festival instead of in San Diego speaks towards its merits as a real film and not a Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: In 3-D! On Ice! prime-time tv special.

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Back in February it was revealed that Super Size Me director Morgan Spurlock was working with Joss Whedon on a documentary about Comic-Con. We now have the complete details on the film, which will be titled Comic-Con Episode Four: A Fan’s Hope.

COMIC-CON EPISODE FOUR: A FAN’S HOPE will begin shooting in June and culminate its principal photography at this year’s Comic-Con in July. Morgan Spurlock will direct the film and Thomas Tull will produce alongside Spurlock’s Warrior Poets producing partner, Jeremy Chilnick. Stan Lee, Joss Whedon and Harry Knowles will executive produce. The film will capture not only a moment in time that literally touches hundreds of thousands of people, but a world that inspires us all – but more than anything else, it will show us that whether at home or away, in costume or not, en masse or alone, we should all have the courage and confidence to be ourselves.